MJF November post is ready…

 

Just a note to let you know the November MaryJane’s Farm post is up…if you’d like to pop over and read it, here’s a quick link: 

Rural Farmgirl

Thanks! 

a quick hello!

A quick note to say hello and a peek at what’s happening here. The weather has become cold and windy, we even had a bit of snow this week!

While it quickly melted, it’s reminded me I need to pick up the pace. I cut the last of the sage and brought it into dry for Thanksgiving stuffing (or do you call it dressing?) I brought in some pots of rosemary, begonias, and geraniums, hoping they will perk up the kitchen throughout the winter, along with the last of the garden peppers. I don’t think I have the energy to make pepper jam, any suggestions??

Jan you are so right - the green gingham skillet is on eBay! 

Avocado looks to me like the 1970s so not super old, but just right for holding Candy onions in a farmhouse kitchen. 

Will let you know what I do with the bead board – I am plotting and planning, scheming and dreaming!  I also found some handwriting (plus the vet’s name and number) on the wall. Maybe it’s just me, but I think things like these are treasures. Not exactly sure what the last sketch is supposed to be…

And lastly, while staying up way too late to finish a book I’ve been reading, my Aurora app sent a notification that the Northern Lights “might” be visible in my location. Since this is a rare occurrence here in the Midwest, I grabbed my coat and outdoors I flew! And while they only lasted a few minutes before the clouds rolled in, it was an absolute thrill to see them.

Hope all is well where you are…as for us, Bailey thinks it’s time for a nice afternoon nap.

things that make my heart happy…

Lately I’m spending the few remaining warm and sunny days we have cleaning out a little barn-and no, that doesn’t particularly make my heart happy, but some things are a necessary evil, sigh. 

What did make my heart happy (at the end of a dusty and dirty day) was this sight..

And while it was a storm to the north, the contrast in colors was absolutely stunning.

What also made my heart happy with stumbling upon oodles of what surely must be vintage bead board - again, dusty and dirty is the theme for the day, but it set my heart a flutter!  

I know I know, it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but my mind was whirling. I want to redo the kitchen in an unfitted style-I can just see bead board on the walls and ceiling (be still my heart) and while there isn’t nearly enough for that, maybe just a special wall, or maybe the ceiling, or maybe having a cupboard built with some of it. I’ve tried to work with the kitchen, trust me, it must be out of the 70s. There’s only so much paint can do.

Then I found this in the barn, thinking it might be a cake pan until I turned it and found ??? on the side. Maybe not a cake pan, but a skillet - perhaps that’s where the handle was attached? Does anyone have thoughts on what it might be? Love the green gingham pattern! 

And lastly, I’ll leave you with a giggle-another little drive with my daughter (because yes, sometimes you have to drive 30 miles when you’re craving Raising Cane’s chicken!)  

You know how I feel about Barn-heart:

an oh-so pretty butter-colored barn,

a barn celebrating Johnny Appleseed,

and, here’s the giggle - forgive me - whatever this is supposed to be!

Good grief, we came over a hill and it was quite startling! I did a little homework on the image and evidently it’s related to the group The Grateful Dead-sorry, not my vibe. 

Again, my apologies, but after this, I was glad to see a little sunset “palate cleanser” to end my day.

To each their own as the saying goes!

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween to all!

I love these photos, and although I didn’t take them, I did turn them black and white just for effect. 

The pictures are courtesy of a paddle boarding group known as The Paddlebroads. Each year they host a get together called Witches on the Water-so clever! The timing didn’t work out for this year, but it is definitely on my bucket list to go see next year…what a site!

Along with the Halloween theme, our friendly neighborhood spiders have been busy spinning their fall webs. This first one is on the clothesline, and if you look closely at the second one, each droplet is full of color. They’re really quite pretty, as long as you remember “heads up” while walking!

Last week, my daughter and I spent a day at The Quarter Horse Congress, the largest single breed horse competition in the world. The horses and competitors were amazing and a stroll around the marketplace was eye-opening,

Can I interest anyone in an $18,000 (used) saddle?

Maybe I need a new style,

or something with a little more sparkle!

The weather has changed quickly here to cold, wet, and rainy. In fact, we’ve had our first fire in the fireplace-oh no, not for atmosphere, but because the furnace has decided it just doesn’t feel like working-sigh. Technicians were out three times this week…today we’re trying a different company Grrr.

There’s still a few pops of color to be found -Dahlia’s, Ruby Slipper hydrangea leaves, and a rogue tomato plant that somehow found its way into the chicken run.

And so the month has flown- enjoy your Halloween - always such fun if you’re lucky enough to have little cowboys, super-heroes, and princesses at your door. And while there won’t be any trick-or-treaters here, everyone goes into town in search of the full-size candy bars, there will be pumpkin carving ( I really do like it!) snacks, and a not scary movie. 

Whatever your plans are, I hope you enjoy the weekend! 

nearly wordless Wednesday…

 

 

“putting by” and a day trip…

‘tis the season for turning these:

into these:

(How can 60 pounds of tomatoes only yield 7 quarts?!)

A friend surprised me with the tomatoes, and because I’d already put my garden to bed for the year, I didn’t really have anything to share in return - but I still had herbs and pumpkins, so I packed those up for her and tucked in some flowers - it’s so wonderful to have a friend who shares generously. (We need to bring back bartering!)

In my efforts to enjoy every day of this perfect month, my daughter and I had a little get away to visit a lovely old house. Built in 1926, Kingwood Hall was the home of Charles King, an industrialist whose home sits on 47 acres - green house, carriage house, gardens - sigh. How about a little tour?

LOVED the kitchen cabinets - the opposite wall was exactly the same. (You know, necessary space for storing dishes, cutlery, glassware for all of the swanky parties!)

The kitchen,

The flower arranging room (am I the only person who doesn’t have one of these?)

The linen room - look at that storage! 

A bathroom for the lady of the house,

And the stairway.

It was a terrific day trip and a chance to see how the other half lives! We shared a delicious lunch and then picked out a Christmas ornament to remember the day.

Once home, I pulled out my pen and adjusted my to-do list… 

Did I just notice the dishwasher leaking?

Why isn’t the furnace coming on?

Can the neighbor recommend a good electrician,

and concrete company? 

Oh - and does anyone still repair plaster?

Back to reality!